Gear Review: Mountainsmith Borealis AT Camera Backpack
A great camera backpack that also has room to carry your gear.
Yes, you can take it with you. That’s the guiding principle of this pack. On snowshoe treks through Rocky Mountain National Park, our tester was able to carry up to 30 pounds of photo gear and backcountry essentials, thanks to a well-padded suspension and stiff Delrin hoop (which also allows for easy stand-up loading).
You can fit a camera body, two lenses, and a flash into the padded photo compartment, which hinges open for easy access. The panel-loading top portion of the pack holds a thermos, water bottle, warm clothing, plus food and other supplies. And details are dialed for trail use: water-resistant zippers and an integrated rain cover protect against wet; a 17-inch laptop sleeve doubles as a hydration compartment; and external compression straps accommodate skis, snowboard, or tripod.
Bonus: Recycled PET fabric and 840-denier nylon are bomber. $189; 1,586 cu. in./26 liters; 4 lbs. 15 oz.; mountainsmith.com